55- New Discoveries of the Ocular Microbiome with Dr Harvey Fishman

New Discoveries of the Ocular Microbiome with Dr Harvey Fishman

It seems like every single day we have more advancements in the research done on the human microbiome. Word has spread about the gut microbiome, and the genitalia microbiome. But new development is coming out in areas of the body we least expect it.

Such as the Ocular Microbiome, better known as the bacteria of the eye.

Researchers have discovered an ecosystem of the microbiome within the eye. In these early stages of research, the eye is showing to have a much smaller population of bacteria than other areas of the body, such as the gut. This does not mean that the ocular microbiome isn't important. In fact, it could tell us more about how to protect the eye and how to prevent eye disease.

Why Should We Care About the Ocular Microbiome

For years ophthalmologists have been able to see correlations between the eyes and issues going on within the gut and rest of the body. The eyes provide a window into the general health of the body.

Previously, the eye was considered to be a sterile environment. Now the research is saying otherwise.

With the findings of bacteria on the eyes and in the eyelids, it demonstrates that the body has some sort of defense mechanism to keep out foreign pathogens. With researchers like Dr. Harvey Fishman looking at how the ocular microbiome fits into the bigger picture of the human body, we can learn a lot about the health of a person.

And if you don't think there is much bacteria and parasites that need to be kept off of the eyeball, then just contact Dr. Fishman to pluck one of your eyelashes to show you what may be living on it 😉.

In this week's episode, Dr. Harvey Fishman and I discuss:

»The different projects he has worked on such as artificial retinal prosthesis

»What has been discovered with the ocular microbiome

»Can systemic antibiotics impact the health of the microbiome of the eye

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